Liquid-vending apparatus



Patented May 23, 1922.

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F. WOODRUFF. LIQUID VENDING APPARATUS.

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APPLICATION FILED OCT. 30. I920- fil.

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F. WOODRUFF. LIQUID VENDING APPARATUS. APPUCATIONIFILEDYOCT.30,1920'Patented May 23, 1922.

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' APPLICATION FILED OCT. 30.1920. 1 4:1 TA3QW Patented May 23, 119.22.

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LIQUID V ENDING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 30. 1920.

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discharge indicator.

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LIQUID-VENDING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 23, 11922.

Application filed October 30, 1920. Serial No. 420,603.

T 0 all whom i't may concern: v

Be it known that I, FRANK \VooDRUFF, residin at Rochester, in the countyof Beaver and tate of Pennsylvania, a citizen of the United States, haveinvented or discovered certain new and useful Improvements in'Liquid-Vending Apparatus, of which improvements the following is aspecification.

The invention described herein relates to certain improvements inapparatus for 'dispensing gasoline and other liquids and has for itsobject a construction -wherein the quantity. of liquid to be dispensedat any one time is determined by the position in the measuring chamberof a displacement bo'dyrelative to a fixed discharge or overflow port.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an indicator wherebythe progressive and complete discharge of the measured liquid is shown,and also to provide a lock for the dispensing valve controlled by the Itis also an object ofthe invention to enclose the measuring mechanismwithin a case or shell having a door which can be closed only when thevalve for draining the measuring chamber is in open position. Theinvention is hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, Fig.1 is a view partly in elevation andpartly in section of the improveddispensing apparatus; Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the same, theplane of section being indicated by the line 11-11, Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is aview partly in elevation and partly in section indicating a modificationin the manner of controlling theposition of the displacement body orplunger; Fig. 4 is a sectional .elevation showing the dischargeindicating mechanism and the lock for the dispensing valve; Fi 5 is anelevation, of the construction s own in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a detail viewof the lock for holding the displacement body or plunger in desiredpositions; and Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation illustrating furthermodifications of the improvement.

The improved apparatus consists of a measuring cylinder 1 preferablyformed of metal but having portions of its side walls,

formedv of glass plates 2. 'The liquid is forced preferably by a pump(not shown) through a pipe 3 connected to the lowerend of the cylinder.The cylinder is provlded with a constantly open outletor overflow pipearranged at a height above the bottom of the cylinder corresponding tothe level to which the liquid will rise for the different quantities ofliquid to be measured. It is preferred that this outlet port should beformed by an open end of a pipe 4 extending up lnto the cylinder apredetermined height regardless of the quantity of liquid to be measuredand sold. 01', if desired. the outlet port may be formed in the side ofthe cylinder and connected by va pipe 4 with the storage tank as shownin Fig. 3. A displacement block or plunger '5 is arranged within thecylinder, said block having, in the form of apparatus shown in Figs. 2and 4, an opening 6 therethrough for the reception of the overflow pipe4, said opening or passage having a diameter substantially greater thanthe external diameter of the pipe 4, sothat liquid can flow up in thespace around the pipe 4. The external diameter of the block or plunger 5is sufficiently less than the internal diameter of the cylinder 1 as topermit a free movement of the plunger or block. When the overflow portis arranged in the side wall of the cylinder, as shown in Fig. 3, theblock or displacement body need not be made annular, but should be madesufli'ciently smaller than the cylinder to permit a free flow of liquidto the overflow port.

The position of the block or plunger within the cylinder which willdetermine the amount of liquid to be dispensed at any time, iscontrolled by a rod 7 which extends up through! the overflow pipe 4passing through a stufiing box 8 at the lower end of said pipe and iseither connected directly to the block or plunger, or if the block orplunger be made buoyantso as to 'float it! the liquid, then thecontrollin rod 7 is provided with means such as the dread or spider 7for controlling and limiting the upward movement of the block orplunger. The

position of the block or plunger for measuring a predetermined amount ofliquid is fixed by a locking device secured to the rod 7 and adapted toengage notches in the edge of a bar 9 which are spaced distances apart,such distances having a definite relation to the quantities of liquid tobev sold. While this locking device ma-y be of any suitable form orconstruction, that shown in Fig. 6 has been found well adapted for thepurpose and consists of a finger 10 having a yoke at its rear end, saidyoke surrounding a cam 11 mounted on a revoluble pin 12 connected to thecontrolling rod 7 so that by the rotation of this pin the finger 11 canbe moved into and out of engagement with the notches in the measuringrod. In lieu of controlling the position of the block or body 5 by a rodextending down through the overflow pipe. any other suitable means maybe employed for that purpose. such for example. that shown in Fig. 3.The spider or head 7 is connected to the lower end of :1 rack bar 32adapted to intermesh with a pinion 33 on the shaft 34. which is mountedin suitable hearings in the upper portion of the chamber or cylinder andextends out through a stufiing box A pinion 36 is secured on the outerportion of the shaft 34 and intermeshes with the teeth on thepositioning rod 37, which is provided at its lower end with means suchas that shown in Fig. 6 for engaging the notches in the measuring bar 9.The cylinder has at its lower end an outlet passage 13 for the dischargeof the measured quantities of liquid, said passage being controlled by avalve 14.

The block or plunger is .made of such a length that when in its lowestposition it will extend above the overflow port so that when in any onepredetermined position, the liquid below the plunger and in the spacesbetween the plunger or block and the cylinder and between the plunger orblock and the overflow pipe up to the level of the outlet port, willequal a predetermined quantity of liquid. If a different quantity isrequired then the controlling rod is shifted and its lock is placed inengagement with a different notch. thereby changing the distance betweenthe lower end of the plunger or block and the cylinder, but the level ofthe liquid which corresponds with the outlet does not afford anyindication as to the quantity of liquid in the cylinder as a portion ofthe block or plunger will occupy a portion of the space below the levelof the liquid. The quantity of liquid contained in the spaces betweenthe block and the cylinder and the block and the overflow pipe will formonly a small portion of the quantities of liquid measured and disensedas such s aces are desi ned merel plunger or block and the overflow asconnections between the space below the port. It will be readilyunderstood that this block or plunger may be made of greater specificgravity than the liquid, in which case it will be positively connectedto the controlling rod 7 so as to be raised and lowered thereby, or iftheblock or plunger has a less specific gravity than the liquid, then itwill be constantly pressed upward against the head or spider at theupper end of the controlling rod.

It is usually the practice in dispensing gasoline to maintain in thecylinder the maximum quantity of liquid permitted, and to charge thecylinder with this maximum quantity, the controlling rod will be raiseduntil its lock will engage the top notch in the measuring bar 9. \Vhenthe controlling rodis in this position, the-block will be in the highestposition and the liquid in the cylinder will be on a level with theoverflow pipe. If it is'desired. to dispense a smaller amount than thatcontained in the cylinder, the block or plunger is drawn down, therebydisplacing the liquid below the plunger and causing it to flow up to theoverflow port until the level of the liquid in the cylinder correspondswith the overflow-port.

As it is undersirable to allow liquid to stand overnight or for anyconsiderable time in the measuring chamber. provision is made for thereturn of the liquid to the storage tank. In the construction shown,this return is effected through a pipe 15 connected to the feed pipe 3and provided with'a valve 16 which will control the flow of liquid fromthe cylinder to and through the overflow pipe 4 to the storage tank. asclearly shown in Figs. 1 and '2. In order to insure the opening of thereturn valve, the door 17 in the supporting casing 18 through whichaccess is had to the controlling rod and the return valve, is providedon its inner side with a swell or enlargement 19 in which is formed a.recess 20 for the. reception of the operating handleof the return valvewhen the latter is in open position. It the valve is in closed position,then this swell or enlargement will strike against the handle andprevent the closing or locking of this door, but if the valve is in openposition, then the handle will enter the notch or recess in theenlargement, thus permitting the door to be mloved to closed positionand locked.

In the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the position of the lock onthe controlling rod 7 or the measuring bar is the only means giving anindication of the amount of liquid charged into the cylinder, but asthese parts are enclosed in the casing 18, provision is made for showingto the purchaser the amount of liquid charged into and discharged fromthe cylinder. In the construction of apparatus shown in Figs. 4 and 5,the block or plunger is made buoyant and its position is determined bythe position of the controlling rod and its head or spider 7. After anamount of liquid corresponding to the position of the lock on thecontrolling rod 7 relative to the measuring rod, has been charged intothe cylinder, the controlling rod 'is raised to its highest position sothat the block or plunger 5 will also'rise up a distance proportional toits buoyancy relative to the liquld. The block or plunger has connectedthereto one end of a chain 21- passing over guide pulleys 22 and has itsopposite end connected to an indicating weight 23 movable in a ,tube 24outside of the cylinrtr and having at intervals openings-or le ses 25which correspond in position to the severalquantities of liquid to bedispensed. WVh'en the block; or plunger is shifted by the flow of liquidinto the cylinder, the indicating weight or measure will be shifted, butthe position of the indicating member at that time affords no indicationof the quantity of liquid=in the cylinder. After the cylinder has beencharged, the controlling rod is shifted to its highest positionpermitting the block or plunger to rise to its maximum height due to itsbuoyancy. The indicating member will move down so that the lower endwill be in line with one or the other of the lenses corresponding to thequantity of liquid to be dispensed. As the liquid passes out of thecontainer, the block or plunger 5 will move down, therebv raising.the'indicating memher past intermediate lenses to its top position sothat the purchaser will be assured that the amount of liquid he desireshas been discharged from the cylinder. In order to insure that theindicating weight or memher has been moved only by the unrestrained orbuoyant movement of the block or plun ger to a point corresponding tothe amount of liquid charged at anyone time, provision is made forlocking the dispensing valve 14 until the controlling rod has been movedupward sufiiciently far to permit the block or plunger assuming itsnormal buoyant position. A construction suitable to this end consists inproviding an extra notch 26 in the measuring bar 9 for the reception ofthe locking finger 10 on the controlling rod 7, the position of thisnotch corresponding to a position of the controlling'rod where its heador spider 7 will be above the lnghest buoyant movement of-the block orplunger 5. A slide passes through the measuring bar and into thisneutral notch so as to be shifted when the locking finger 10 enters thenotch. The outer endfof this slide is connected by a lever 28 to aspring-actuated locking pin 29 which is normally in engagement with, thestem 30 of the dispensing valve 14 to prevent the rotation of the same.In the construction shown the valve stem 30 is provided with a block 31having an opening, said block being so positioned on the stem of thevalve that this opening will be in line with the locking pin 29 onlywhen the valve is closed. When the controlling rod is moved upward so asto bring its locking finger in line with its neutral notch, the movementof the finger 10 into this notch 26 will Withdraw the locking pin 29from the block 31 and permit the opening of the dispensing valve.

In Fig. 7 is illustrated a form of apparatus in which the dispensingchamber is formed by a horizontally arranged cylinder 38, having thereina piston 39 operative by a rod 40 extending through one end of thecylinder. :The cylinder is provided at the end opposlte that throughwhich the piston rod extends with an overflow port and with a valveddischarge spout 41. The overflow may consist of-a port in the side orend of the cylinder, as shown in Fig. 3, or the overflow may be formedby connecting one leg of a U'-shaped pipe 42 to the discharge spout 41,the leg connected to the spout extending to a height corresponding tothe level of liquid in the cylinder.-

I c aim herein as my invention:

1. In an apparatusfor dispensing liquids the combination of a chamberhaving a normally open overflow port or opening, a valve controlledoutlet or discharge port, a displacement body movable to vary thequantity of liquid below the level determined by the overflow.

2. In an apparatus for dispensing liquids, the combination of a chamberhaving an outlet or discharge port and an overflow port at apredetermined distance above the outlet port and means for changing thecapacity of the portions of the chamber intermediate horizontal planescoincident with the overflow and outlet ports.

3. In anapparatus for dispensing liquids, the combination of a chamberor cylinder provided with a discharge port or outlet at its lower endand having an overflow port a predetermined distance above the dischargeport,'a displacement body vertically movable in the cylinder changingthe capacity of the portion of the cylinder below the overflow and meansfor controlling the position of said body.

4. In an apparatus for vending liquids the combination of a chamber orcylinder having a discharge port at its lower end and an overflow portlocated above'the discharge port, a displacement body vertically movablein the chamber for changing the capacity of the portlon of'the cylinderbelow the level 'of the overflow port, and a passage permitting theliquid to flow from the portions of the cylinder below the displacementbody to the overflow port. v

5. In an apparatus for vending liquids, the combination of a chamber orcylinder having a capacity greater than the maximum volume of liquid tobe dispensed, means for supplying said liquid to said chamber orcylinder, means for "preventing the liquid rising in the chamber above apredetermined level, and a displacement body movable in said chamber tovary the capacity of the portion of the chamber below the saidpredetermined level;

6. In an a plication for vending liquids the combination of a chamber orcylinder,

4 overflow pipe exten mg up into the chamber,

and annular displacement body having an opening tor'the reception of theoverflow pipe, the diameter of the said opening being greater than'theexternal diameter of the overflow ipe and means operative from outsidethe chamber for controlling the position of the displacement body.

7. Inan apparatus for vending liquids the combination of a chamber orcylinder having a discharge port adjacent to its lower end, an overflowpipe extending up into the chamber, an annular displacement body havingan opening for the reception of the overfiow pipe, the diameter of saidopening being greater than the external diameter of the overflow pipe, arod extending up through the overflow pipe and provided with means forengaging the displacement body to de-v termine its vertical position,and means for locking said rod in different vertical positions.

8. In an apparatus for vending liquids the combination of a chamber orcylinder havin a dischar e port adjacent to its lower en an overfIowport or opening located above the discharge port, a buoyant displacementbody, releasable means for holding said body at a predetermined heightwithin the chamber and means operative by the displacement body forindicating the amount of liquid discharged from the chamber.

9. In an apparatus for vending liquids the combination of a chamber orcylinder having a normally closed and locked discharge valve adjacent toits lower end, an overflow port located above the discharge valve, abuoyant displacement body, releasable means for holding said body at apredetermined height within the chamber, means for locking said holdingineans. and adapted to release the discharge valve when shifted to lockthe holding means in neutral position, and means operative by thebuoyant body for indicating the amount of liquid discharged from thechamber.

10. In an apparatus for vending liquids the combination of a chamber orcylinder having a discharge valve adjacent to its lower end, an overflowport located above the discharge valve, a buoyant displacement,

body, means for holding the buoyant body from upward movement as liquidflows into the chamber to a predetermined height, an

annular buoyant body, a rod extending up through the overflow pipe andhaving means for engagement with the buoyant body, means for locking therod in difl'erent positions, and an indicating-mechanism operative bythe buoyant body as it moved down during the discharge of the liquid.

.12. In an apparatus for vending liquids,

the combination of a measuring chamber, means for supplying liquid tosaid chamber, a valve for controlling the discharge of measuredquantities of liquid from the chamber, a pipe permitting the drainage ofliquid from the chamber to the storage tank, a valve controlling thedrainage of the liquid, a shell or casing surrounding said drainagevalve and provided with a door permitting .access to said valve, andmeans for preventing the closing of said .door while said valv is inclosed position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

FRANK WOODRUFF.

